National Comic Book Day

National Comic Book Day is observed every September 25 invites readers, creators, and shops to celebrate the art and impact of comics in all their colorful forms, from classic superhero issues to indie and international stories that leap off the page.

History of National Comic Book Day

The exact origin of National Comic Book Day is a bit of a mystery—there’s no single credited founder—but calendars and culture sites widely agree on the fixed date of September 25 and frame it as a friendly, fan-driven observance that grew online and in local communities.

The medium it celebrates has deep roots. Early American comic books took shape in the 1930s, with titles like Famous Funnies (1933) often cited as a starting point for the modern format, paving the way for decades of storytelling that now spans every genre and age group.

Why is National Comic Book Day important?

Comics blend words and images to make ideas feel immediate, approachable, and memorable. A single page can carry humor, heartbreak, and hope in a way that reaches reluctant readers and lifelong bookworms alike, which is why teachers, librarians, and parents keep returning to the format to spark curiosity.

The day also protects and celebrates community culture. Local shops, conventions, and creator meet-ups are where new voices are discovered and fans find each other, and shining a light on those spaces helps the art form stay vibrant and accessible for the next generation.

• It validates comics as serious storytelling and pure fun.
• It encourages visits to local comic shops and libraries.
• It helps new readers find a first series that clicks.
• It keeps a welcoming, all-ages culture thriving.
• It spotlights the artists, writers, letterers, and editors behind the scenes.

How to celebrate National Comic Book Day

Keep it simple: visit a nearby comic shop or library display and ask for a starter pick in a genre you love—mystery, romance, memoir, or sci-fi—and read the first issue tonight. Share a quick note online about what hooked you; personal recommendations help new readers dive in.

Don’t confuse this day with Free Comic Book Day, the industry’s separate annual giveaway held on the first Saturday in May. That event is a great time to sample titles for free, but September 25 is your cue to support creators and shops with a purchase, a library checkout, or a friendly review. ¹

• Start a mini book club with one short arc or graphic novella.
• Try a creator-owned indie alongside a big-publisher classic.
• Gift a beginner-friendly issue to a young reader.
• Learn the names of the artists and letterers on your favorite book.
• Leave a kind review for a shop or a series you love.

National Comic Book Day Dates Table

1. https://www.freecomicbookday.com/[↩]